Lamborghini unlikely to create Ferrari Dino rival

Lamborghini unlikely to create Ferrari Dino rival

24 May 2017Andrew Maclean

The imminent return of the Ferrari Dino is unlikely to create a little Lambo from its cross-country rival.

The Prancing Horse has long been rumoured to be developing a more affordable entry-level sportscar, set to powered by the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 it produces for the Maserati Ghibli and due to be revealed in-line with original car's 50th anniversary next year.

Speaking to Drive at the launch of the record-setting Huracan Performante at the Imola circuit this week, Lamborghini boss – and former team principal for the Ferrari F1 team – Stefano Domenicali admitted that his company is constantly evaluating its rivals' product activities, but he is purposely resisting the temptation to create a cheaper sportscar to sit under the Huracan in a bid to ensure the integrity of its existing models.

"We don't have to be pulled down where the others are going to go," he said.

"We are not denying of course that we are looking at what is going on in the market.

"I am sure there are some of our competitors that are moving down the pricing to occupy that field, and of course it is something we are looking at – whether there is space for us to go – but we need to make sure we do not dilute the value of our brand."

Domenicali's comments come in spite of Lamborghini moving into the final phase of launching its Urus (which he dubs a Super SUV) in December, which is ultimately the most radical departure for the brand since the LM002 was launched in 1984 on the back of a military deal to build a mega off-roader.

Lamborghini is adamant, however, that the Urus (pictured above) will live up to its core strengths and be regarded as the sportiest, fastest vehicle of its type.

It will use the same underpinnings as the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, as well as the next-generation Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg which are both due to be revealed in 2018, and will be powered by a high-output version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 already in use in vehicles such as the Audi RS6 and RS7.

It will be offered in two states of tune, a conventional model that will be the more powerful version – with up to 485kW and capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in under four seconds – and a plug-in hybrid that offers up to 50km of emission-free driving using its battery-powered electric motor.

Domenicali confirmed that Lamborghini will not offer a diesel-powered version of the Urus, but indicated there are other opportunities – including a convertible body style – that will extend its popularity beyond the initial launch phase and help to ensure the company can sustain its forecasted growth to 7000 vehicles per annum.

Once that task is fulfilled, Domenicali said only then can Lamborghini start to exercise the notion of adding a fourth model line to its range.

"We need to be humble and we cannot lose the focus on our super sports car segment because this is vital to be current, and also the new segment that we are opening with the super SUV," he said.

"When this first wave will be concluded around 2023 we will be stable, then we have the vision for what will be the next step in our future for Lamborghini. So we are looking at which kind of segment, which kind of technology, which kind of car is relevant to our heritage. Today it is too early, but we are already thinking about what we can see the need the technical wise and the trends, [such as] will the super SUV cannibalise the need for a GT car or a 2+2.

"We don't know yet but we have other priorities now."

While Domenicali is keeping his options open, the most likely options to Lamborghini are a four-door sports limousine, such as the Estoque concept (pictured above) it showed at the 2008 Paris motor show, or a luxurious two-plus-two seater GT car to rival the likes of the Bentley Continental and Aston Martin DB11.